“Ugh～”
The white-haired nun knelt in front of the trash can, vomiting.
Luckily, she’d had porridge for lunch, so her throat didn’t feel especially raw.
She didn’t know why she kept having those dreams.
Her whole body felt out of control, half-dissociated, sometimes clear-headed, sometimes lost in the dream.
But the emotions in the dream were so real, as if she’d experienced them herself.
After waking, she couldn’t help but want to throw up.
“Lyte… are you still here?”
With a hoarse, burning throat, she called out for Lyte, who was nowhere to be found.
He clearly promised to stay with me, and now he just left without a word.
Men really can’t be trusted…
As she mulled it over, Noi tried to think positively.
Maybe Lyte was hungry and went to eat first?
Her call didn’t bring Lyte, but instead, a red-haired nun walked in.
“Noi? Why did you get out of bed? Is your body feeling any better?”
Noi shook her head, not caring about her own health, and instead asked about Lyte’s whereabouts first.
“Where did Lyte go? Did you see him?”
“He went to entertain the Imperial Princess from the Imperial Capital. They should be chatting in the side room right now.”
‘The Imperial Princess from the Imperial Capital…’
Her mood surged, and her stomach started to hurt again.
Noi scrunched up her little face, curling up on the floor, taking sharp breaths one after another.
She remembered all too clearly that in her past life, the official couple in the game was those two, childhood friends plus the imperial princess bonus.
How was she supposed to defend her own sovereignty?
“Noi! You need to get back to bed and rest!”
Seeing Noi suddenly clutch her stomach and collapse, Tina was startled.
She tried to help Noi back to bed, but was refused.
“I want to see Lyte…”
“What are you saying? How can your body handle walking around like this?”
“Don’t worry about me! I have to go.”
Noi shouted loudly, her rare mania stunned Tina, who half-heartedly let Noi go.
Staggering to the door, she was blocked by the green-haired priestess, Sharei.
“Sorry, Miss Noi, you don’t have the qualifications to see the Imperial Princess yet.”
“……”
Sharei’s words left Noi dazed as she retreated to her bed, her face frighteningly pale.
***
“Do you still remember when we were kids…”
In the side room of the chapel, Deta chatted excitedly about their past.
Lyte sat with his elbows on his thighs, fingers interlaced, his right index finger tapping the third knuckle of his left middle finger, a faint sign of impatience.
“Lyte, are you listening? When do you plan to return to the Imperial Capital?”
“I’m not going back for now. Be careful on your way back.”
His voice was flat, Lyte coldly refusing his childhood friend’s invitation.
Deta’s expression soured, but she still maintained her elegant noble smile.
“Then do you have business to take care of in this little town? I can accompany you.”
“No need to trouble yourself. I can handle it alone.”
‘Seriously… why is he being so perfunctory with me?’
The Imperial Princess Deta felt her smile freeze, the fixed grin carrying a trace of gloom.
No matter how urgent things were, Lyte would always answer her questions seriously in the past.
Even after his personality changed following that collapse a month ago, he’d still patiently explain her doubts.
But now, a month later, he’s lost interest in her after falling for another woman.
Is it really that woman’s fault…
“Then I’ll stay in this town with you for a few days. Xuanwu recently told me she agreed to our engagement. What do you think, Lyte? Have you considered when we’ll officially get married?”
“Crash!”
Just as she finished speaking, the sound of a plate shattering rang out outside the side room.
At Deta’s intentionally ambiguous question, Lyte lifted his eyelids, finally showing a bit of spirit.
“I haven’t thought about it. Once the mutant incident in Wagner Town is resolved, I’ll go to the Nest headquarters and resign from my duties as a Hero.”
“Lyte, are you crazy!”
She never expected Lyte would actually give up his identity as a Hero.
Deta stood up from her chair, exclaiming in shock and disbelief.
“You’re Heaven’s Chosen, destined to become the strongest ultimate Hero! What’s so good about that country bumpkin? White hair and red eyes—don’t you find it creepy? If you like that type, I’ll dye my hair and wear red contacts right now! Just break up with that woman already!”
She rattled on like a machine gun, venting her dissatisfaction and jealousy.
Deta smoothed her golden hair.
“My hair color is like gold, so much nobler than hers. Why would you degrade yourself? Did she cast some kind of bewitchment spell on you?”
Lyte waited for her to finish before calmly clarifying, “Who do you think could actually cast a spell on me? And about my master agreeing to our marriage, I know nothing about that. Allow me to refuse. Even if you don’t allow it, you can’t stop my decision.”
He had no fear of royal retaliation.
As the strongest Hero, nearly thirty years old in his second life, Lyte had no patience for Deta’s temperament and chose to face her head-on.
The red lace skirt was wrinkled in her clenched hands, Deta’s chest heaving.
Off to the side, Little Blue hugged the Holy Sword, watching the drama unfold with great interest.
“Knock knock knock～”
There was a knock at the door.
The side room door opened, and the white-haired nun walked in carrying a brand-new porcelain plate of seasonal fruit.
“Greetings, Your Highness Princess, Lyte, I brought you some fruit.”
With a weak and gentle smile, Noi gracefully placed the plate on the table and gave a deep bow.
As she straightened up, she pressed a trembling hand to her stomach, her brow furrowed pitifully.
Lyte hurried over to steady her, gently helping her sit down and rest.
Deta’s eyes burned with jealousy, her sourness almost palpable.
“You can’t walk around today. You need to rest. I’ll sleep with you tonight.”
The mischievous black-haired youth deliberately pretended they were planning to sleep together, just to provoke Deta.
Sure enough, Deta was already grinding her teeth.
Noi caught a glimpse of Deta’s expression and purposefully put on a frail smile, gently shaking her head.
“Lyte, your friend has come a long way. It’s only right to be a good host. As your girlfriend, it’s my fault not to greet her first. I’ll add an extra blanket for you tonight—come to my room after your bath～”
The two of them were completely wrapped up in each other, treating Deta as if she didn’t exist.
Little Blue, always eager for drama, sidled up to the fuming Deta and whispered a little trick in her ear, making Deta nod repeatedly.
“Lyte～since it’s so rare for us to meet, take me shopping!”
Deta put on a coy act, quickly closing the distance and hugging Lyte’s arm, rubbing her flat chest against him.
“…Next time. I don’t have time right now.”
“No, no, Lyte, you’re not that heartless. Just accompany me this once, won’t you? We’ve known each other for so many years, and a shopping trip is just two or three hours!”
Determined to have Lyte to herself for a while, Deta pulled out all her trump cards, bombarding him relentlessly.
Lyte frowned in distress, sighing irritably.
The princess gave Noi a triumphant look, as if to say, “Lyte and I have a long history together. You can never beat me.”
Such provocation might work on ordinary women, but Noi understood a man’s heart far better than she did.
“Lyte, it’s fine. My body’s alright. Her Highness has come such a long way, so you should take her shopping. Have fun, you two. I’ll prepare some tea for you when you get back tonight.”
Noi thoughtfully straightened Lyte’s collar and tie, messed up by the princess, popped a clean grape in his mouth, then snuggled into his arms, rubbing her cheek against his chest.
In his embrace, the white-haired nun looked calmly at the Imperial Princess, her lips curling in a flawless arc.
This is how the main wife handles things—retreating to advance, giving the man plenty of face.
Clearly, Lyte appreciated this.
After swallowing the grape, he pecked Noi lightly on the forehead.
“Wait for me to come back.”
The Imperial Princess could take Lyte’s body, but not his heart.
After the three left the side room, Noi collapsed to the floor, her breath ragged, her body limp, every organ trembling with discomfort.
“Ugh…”
She retched again, but her stomach was empty.
Bile rose up her esophagus, then slowly receded.
After Sharei’s blow, she pulled herself together and snuck out of the infirmary.
Originally, it was Chenxi who was supposed to bring fruit to the side room, but after Noi’s desperate pleading, Chenxi relented and let her take on the task.
She’d eavesdropped on their conversation outside the door.
At first, Deta’s talk of marriage had scared her so much her hands shook, making her drop the plate.
Luckily, Chenxi was nearby and had a spare plate ready.
Hearing Lyte’s answer, Noi finally relaxed.
With the painkillers still working, she forced herself to hold it together and walked into the side room.
“Noi! I told you not to push yourself! Don’t get so worked up during your period. Your symptoms are much worse than most, you need to take care of yourself.”
The flowing black skirt hid the bloodstain from her period.
Noi hadn’t even changed her pad before rushing over.
“…I have to do this. Lyte is mine. No one can take him away.”
Chenxi sighed and, with her limited strength, struggled to carry Noi back to the infirmary, where she ensured Noi rested for a while longer.